davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23
The Causes of Broken Rails.

''It is trua that rails break and cause many accidents" said a we'll known railroad engineer, "but the reason there for is not quite so apparent. Experience, however, has taught me that rails are at any other season of the year. Tie goes out of the ground the roadbed naturally heaves, and this action destroys the level of the rails. When the level, or surface, as we term it, is destroyed, that, of course, makes little hump at the joint of the rails, and when the heavy cars pass over them in this condition the liability to break is very great By the joint of the rails l mean, of course, where they come together, and this, being the place of least resistance, is influenced most by the action of the forces at work in the ground at the period of thaw. It is very rare that a rail breaks at Q greater distance than three or four inches from the joint. Thus we find additional reason to prove that it is the result of the heaving pro- cess that causes the breakage of the rails. In my experience have rarely, if ever. known a rail to break at very great distance from the joint When we have period of warm weather that pretty thoroughly thaws out the ground, this condition of things l have described | is very likely to occur. Now. when the surface.of the rails is destroyed by the action of the forces set at work by the thaw, and the joints rise up above the general level, the liability of accident k increased by single cold night. w. er rails become frozen up in this manner they are apt to snap, especially as the process of contraction caused by the fros will have influenced their character greatly.
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23
A SCENE IN COURT.
A Murderer Sees the Ghost of His
 Victim,

At the trial of Unger. in the noted trunk murder case in New York, the prisoner testified in his own defence. He said that he struck the dead man, Bohle, with a hammer to pro- tect his own life. 'sWhen Bohl was dead" he says sthen knew what I had done. I thought of my boy coming home. Ipulled the cot out and across the corner of the room. l put the body behind it. Then I pulled Bohps trunk up by the cot, and threw bed clothes over the cot.
 ssMy boy came in. He asked for Bohl. told him Bohl had gone out with friend, and was going to Chicago. I may have said, he is no good to us.' I only wanted to get the boy to bed. went to bed with him. He went to sleep. could not.
 sI lay there awake in the dark. Once l thought Bohl was standing over me. 1sprang up and went out in the other room, and saw that the body was still there. I then went down stairs and out doors and got drink. l came back and went to bed. 1 lay there and thought again that saw Bohl standing over me. I sprang up again. Nothing was there. I went again out in the other room. The dead body was there. Then I went to bed again, and again Bohl seemed to be standing over me, and went again and saw that the body was there.
 "In the morning got my boy his breakfast and hurried him to work. went to Williams burgh. I wanted to get the air, and thought to tell Sgel about it. I could not see Sigel. am miserable, miserable man."
 Unger then told the story of the cutting ur of the body and putting it into the trunk, as he had told it before in his confession and tc Detective Allance. During all the time he was on the stand his two daughters were out oi the room, having been taken away by one o1 the court officers as soon as he was summoned to testify. As he concluded his testimony his voice broke, tears came to his eyes, and he fully looked what he had described himself as being, Ca miserable man." During his de. scription of the deadly struggle with Bohl his voice rose clear and sharp, and he gesticulated with strong dramatic effect. At the close e1 his story the court adjourned.
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23
Fun for the Boys.

Out in the village where was born we had crowd of boys whose life was one continual round of pleasure, as look back upon 1t now. Swimming, beating, hunting, wandering in the fields with boys proprietary feeling of owner ship of the whole earth equal to Jay Gould and an ignorance of everything equal to an art critics, we still got into mischief. "si' Pickering's father owned calf which roamed in field behind the barn. On this calf our wicked eyes fell one day and we or ganized an Indian deer hunt. Theo. Beck And Joe Doty drove the calf into the leds, where about dozen of us were scattered along behind the fence, armed with bows and sharp arrows. The calf, or deer, as it was supposed to represent, came ambling frisklly along, when the Indians opened fire. With startled below it dashed past, down the lane, followed by fierce, blood curdllng war whoops, to where ''Si" stood with an old gun loaded with birdshot. "Si" was representing a white settler and was ex- pected to shoot in the air, of course; but in the intense excitement of the moment, as he saw the deer plunging towards him, with eight or nine arrows sticking in him in the region of the tail, he shot his hide full of holes. At this interest ing moment his ''old man. rode up and "Si's' face was picture of surprise. He seemed quite agitated as the old man reached out for him in an earnest man. ner. I was getting we'll towards the next county at the time, but heard
 "Si's" explanatory remarks even after | was in the woods. The calf lived to be respectable, sober old COW, yet Inevel could look upon her white face in after years without recalling ''Si' floating in l the air as his father held him aloft by his suspenders and fondled him in the most approved biblical manner.-N Y 1 World.
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23
ADJOURNED BY A LUNATIC.
The Kansas House of Representa- tives Frightened by the Slayer of John Wilkes Booth.

TOPEKA, Kan, February 16.-Boston Cor bett, the slayer of John Wilkes Booth, created a sensation in the Kansas House of Represen- tatives yesterday. At the commencement of the session of the Legislature Corbett was ap- pointed Assistant Doorkeeper. Yesterday he strapped on two revolvers, and took with him box of cartridges. Then, with 8 drawn weapon, he drove negro attendant from the Hall of Representatives. Sergeant-at-Arms Norton attempted to expostulate with him, when Corbett cooked one of his revolvers and, pointing it directly at the officer, told him to travel. Corbett then looked for Speaker Smith, and on meeting member who somewhat re- sembled him, when the member threw up his hands and said that he was not the Speaker. The member was then permitted to move on. Corbett took possession of the Speakers gal lery, and, walking in front of the doors, held it during the entire morning session, refusing to allow any one to come near him. Three po- licemen were called but they would not venture into the dark corridor, and the slayer of Booth held possession. At twelve o'clock he sent word down to the House to adjourn, or he would come down and adjourn it himself. The House adjourned.
 Corbett was afterwards captured in the lower corridor, disarmed and taken to the police station, where he is now confined. He will probably be adjudged insane and confined in an asylum.
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23
"MY CHILDREN! SAVE THEM Y
A Father all in Flames Wants tht
 Little Ones Saved First.

DETROIT, Mich., Feb. 15, 1Ss7.-"For Gods sake, save me! am burning up!" This ago. nizing entreaty came from Edward Hoffner, and as he uttered it he sprang from the lower window in the Genesee Building. Roundsman Pierre Harahan was passing the building at the time, and it was to him that Hoffner called. Flames followed Hoffner from the window.
 ssMy children are there," cried Hoffner. s'Save them! Save them!' Hoffner's clothing was all on fire, and, after extinguishing the flames which enveloped him, the officer went to the window, through which he saw the bodies of three children on the floor with flames blazing all around them. He ran in through the door, carried the bodies out and laid them on the sidewalk. All three were in dying condition. Their names were:-Eliza Hoffner, aged five; Henry Hoffner aged three and Eddie Hoffner, aged two.
 Hoffner occupied the ground floor as rur- niture shop, and lived with his family ill apartments above. The children were in the habit of frequenting the shop, and at the time of the fire Hoffner was repairing some furni- ture, his children playing around him. Near at hand was small stove, used for heating a glue pot, and close by g two-gallon can of ben zine. The children in their play upset the small stove and an explosion followed. Hoffner's clothing was saturated and SO was the child ren's and they burned fercely. The agonies of the little ones were especially horrible. Their mother was down town at the time, and her lamentations when she returned home were dreadful to hear.
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23
RUsSIA'S WAR ATTITUDE.
Government Circles Convinced That
 War is Inevitable.

ST. PETERSBURG Feb. 19.---It is semi-official- ly stat that in Russian Government circles the conviction is gaining ground that war be- tween France and Germany is inevitable. In addition to this, it is said that, as & fresh de- feat of France might involve disastrous results to Russia, the Czar's Government will, in the event of war, preserve entire liberty of action. It will not support France as an ally, but may by firm reserved attitude prevent Germany from sending the whole of her army west of the Rhine, and, even if France should be de- feated. .attenuate as much as possible the effects of the disaster. For these reasons it is declar- ed, Russia will await the outcome of the differ- ent phases of the Bulgarian crisis with the greatest calmness, and act in such way as to avoid being involved with Austria England at the moment when France and Germany commence hostilities.
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23
. . ' ' . \
. . . . ss ~~s ee LYDIA 6. PINkHAM'S VEGETABLE : COMPOUND
 WILL HELP
 ANY WOMAN
Suffering iron, Kidney 0iss case or from troubles DO.
 clIjjar to her sex,

disease and fkr ,elicfof tafs and fAef 1T does aHH elaims 10 do thons4nds e ladies ean gladly frsfHy.
 Ithas stood the test otweny years in relieving Penod cal pan promoting regularity of seasons, and banshns weakness backache and consequent nervous distress
 Probably no other woman in the world receives so many ''le,ers of thanks" Lydia E. Pnkham, oi Lynn, Mass. Mrs. B- of Enfield, N. H., says: I will simply say that your Vegetable Compound IS all you recommend it to be- # kas dene me Wo,las c spe6." Another lady writes from Ottawa as follows: have just to-day bought the seventh bottle of your VeSe table Compound, have used two boxes of Pills and sew eral packages of your Sana;ve Wash, and think eut right to teyou how much good derived from your med cines 7Key are q res1lar God-se"3. All the Pa'ns and aches have almost disappeared, my stomach m"eh stronger too and feel myself improved every ~ay'
 Price s1. Sold by nil Grugrista.
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23
A Remarkable Sentence.

The wife of Czar Alexis of Russia Q645 -1e76 was frequently disturbed in her sleep by the ringing of bell in 8 neighboring church steeple. This reused the anger of the exalted lady to such a pitch that the following decree was issued: ''The tower in which the bell
 hangs shall be pulled down, the bell to be whipped with the knout and then banished to Siberia for ever." This judgment was about to be put into exc cution when the Czarina died, and the Czar's niece interceded on behalf of the unconscious offender, whereupon the sentence was revised, and the convicted bell was removed to subterranean chamber and doomed to eternal silence.
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23
SHOT HIS SON-IN-LAW. Capt. Clark Mistakes His Daugh- ter's Discarded Husband for a Burglar.

W1scAssET, Me-, Feb. 19.-Capt. Clark shot ". B. Graves, his son-in-law, last night, as Capt. Clark gave himself up, but was not held. He mistook Graves for burglar and fired two shots, the first in the air to frighten him away, and the second shot directly at the count of his incorporate habits Mrs Graves got a divorce and returned to her fathers house to live. Graves had visited her there, and several times when drunk and ad- mittance was refused, he broke into the house, and, it is said, abused his wife shame fully. He broke into the woodshed last night, and was trying the kitchen door, when his di- vorced wife heard him and told her father that some one was trying to break into the house. He went to the window with a navy revolver and fired. When he saw whom he had shot, he took him into the house and sent for doc tor and deputy sheriff.
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23
Farm and Garden Notes.

Handle hog properly and it will prove one of the most profitable animals on the farm.
 A common hoe, strengthened out by a blacksmith, makes cheap and excel. lent implement for chopping roots fo1 stock.
 Bees should not be allowed to find honey outside the hives, as it incites robbing, and causes them to attack people.
 One barn large enough for all is better than several small ones. Have every. thing under one roof, and have it well ins red.
 Secretary Goodman, of the Missouri Horticultural Society, says good toad is worth $10in garden as an insect de. sroyer.
 Whether prices be up or down, prime mutton sheep are always salable, and al good prices. The markets are never supplied with choice mutton.
 If a farmer will take care not to pur. chase what he cannot use or has littlt need for, he will soon learn that it i poor economy for him to buy anything but the best.
 Turkeys and guineas should not be allowed to roost in the tree tops, or the result will be roup, which is contagious all the fowls of the barn yard being subject to it.
 In building fences, take the cost ani the time that they will last into consid eration. A cheap fence may be toe cheap. All fences are costly, and th fewer you have the better.
 A writer states that he had ''the bes results keeping grapes when each bunc1 was wrapped in piece of paper, packe, in boxes holding one bushcl, and tn boxes kept in place where the temper pturo did not full below 55 degree K a..ss4..,.. 9y
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23
THE FARM AND GARDEN.
Sheep Losing Wool,

A Wisconsin correspondent asks as to the cause of sheep losing their wool. He does not state anything as to the condition of the flock, but writes that last spring the wool dropped seriously in patches.
 There are number of reasons. A feyerish condition of the animal will sometimes cause this, especially of the fine-wooled breeds. Thin sheep ex- posed to the weather during winter, if suddenly gorged with strong food towards spring, arc apt to lose their wool. So sheep alternately poorly fed and then crowded with food may lose their wool, and in addition the re- maining fecces will have weak places in the fibre, often seriously lowering the price. Scabby sheep drop their wool where the parasites causing scab are burrowing under the scarf skin. This is one of the first things to be looked after when the wool is found to be loose ol falling of.
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23
APPROPRIATION VOTED: Sixty-One Million Dollars Appropri. ated by the Senate this Month.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1e, 1Ss7-The Senate twin ordnance bills appropriated $21, ,OOO, ,OOO. The Cameron Crusier bill, passed to-day, ap- propriates S22, ,000,0 900. The bill to refund to the States the direct tax collected in 1861, which passed the Senate two weeks ago, calls for an appropriation of about SIS, 900, 900, mak- ing the sum of S61, 900 ,OOO, which the Senate has appropriated since about the 1st of February. As Senator Allison remarked, the amount for ordnance and the navy would not effect the Treasury surplus, as only portion of the $4S, ,OOO, 900 could be used in any one year,
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23
There Shall be no Alps.

When Napoleon talked of invading Italy on c of his officers said: "But, sire, remember the Alps, To an ordinary man tn sse would have responded eagerly: ''There shall be no Alps" So the famous Simplon ra was made. Dis ease, like mountain, stands in the way of Pierce's "Golden Medical Discovery might be healed and so the mountain would disap' pear. It is specific for all blood, chronic lung (which is scrofula of the lungs), pimples, blotches. eru' tions. tum DTS, swellings, fever sores and kindred com plaints.
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23
A PITIABLE SIGHT.
A Little Child Scarcely Three Years Old Draws
 out of Shape by Innammatory Rheunatism.


 out of Shape by Innammatory Rheunatism.
 ROCHESTER, N. T., May IS, 1Ss6 ,Pardee Medicine O.,
 GENrLEMEN:-We desire to express our feelings of gratitude for the great blessing received at your hands in restoring to us in perfect health, our little three year-old son, who for weeks has been a very great sufferer with intlammatory rheumatism. His little hands and arms were badly m famed and so drawn out of shape that we feared he would never again have the use of them; but thanks to Dr. Pardee's excel lent remedy, he is now entirely free from pain and has free use of his hands and arms; in fact is in better health ten ever before We feel that your remedy mas performed almost miracle, and believe it to be the best on earth, and recommend 1t to any afflicted with rheumatism.
 We are very truly yours,
 MT, & Mrs. H. KLEEHIMER.
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23

STEAL THEM.-A passenger on one of the outgoing Grand Trunk Railwa y trains from Montreal drew the attentio Il of the conductor to the absence of saw and axe from the racks at both ends of the car. The reply received was that as fast as they were put up they were carried off by thieves!
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23
NO ASSESSMENTS.

Anyone insuring therefore for the curren, Sear will only be required to pay . cash pro. mium, which will cover all liability. In case of loes 1t is provided in the charter That if it cannot be amicably adjusted, it shall Do referred to two disinterested persons, one to be chosen by each party, and if they cannot agree, they shall choose third, and the de pision thus rendered shah be final.
 Information and circulars may bs obtained by addressing
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23

w,thout wishing to investiga e, if you are wise. Send your address to Hallett & fcss Co,' Portland, Maine, and you will receive arse se ,i and live at home, wherever you are located, at which you can receive from S5 to $25 an and u np wards daily. Some have earned over yer sn started ri free. Ali snow. Both sexes; all ages. snug iittIe fortunos await all workers.
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23
A rapped smile-The grin of a schoolboy un- dergoing corporal punishment.

You know Hop Plasters are prepared from pain allaying virtues of Hops Gums, Burgundy Pitch
 Hop Plasters cure pain and soreness, strength en weak parts and do it quickly, too. 25 cts.
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23

Honor to the truo man ever who takes his life in his hands, and at all hazards speaks the word which is given him to utter, whether mon will bear or forbear, whether the end thereof is to be praise or censure, gratitude or hatred
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23

Commissioner of Deeds for all the States, Mir. G. E. Reardon, Baltimore, Md, writes that he suffered for long time with rheuma- tisln. whi h yielded to no treatment until he applied St. Jacobs Oil.
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23

THE man who dag the graves for shree husbands of Mrs Foster, of Green Bay, Wis, becarIe her fourth husband this summer. On his part his bis sympathies were stirred, and on hers she felt under oome obligations.
 Young hostess-'T must show you my baby, Mir. Brown; are you fond of them p Brown (absent minded ed)-"Yes-oh yes but I haven't eaten any lately. ."-Llte.
 A shorthand writer at Washington can report a speech with so much rapidity that the speaker finds it utterly impossi- ble to keep up with him. adelphid
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23

Ex-Congressman Weaver, Postoff1ce Depart ment, Washington, D. C., considers R d s a- Cough Cure remarkable remedial agent. 1t contains no dangerous narcotics, and costs but twantv-five cents.
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23

The days are at hand when the letter L quietly retires from the language and waits for sunny spring. For three months from date, if you ask a man how he is, he will reply: 'tI'b web enough, egsebt code i'd
 fha ,ad 'I
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23
A Bad Beginning.

The last words of man condemned to death.
 As the fatal moment approaches he asks the hangman: seWhat day is it to-day9" Monday" murmurs the cxccutioner.
 .Monday2 A nice way to begin the
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23
Pruning Grapevfnes.

A proper Dalance or the Vltal forces, a due consideration of the ability and capacity of the vines is of great impor- tance. The development of fruit is where the strain comes and the impa- tience and haste to get fruit quickly, and plenty of it, are the prime causes of many a failure. Vines are allowed to overbear, especially young ones. The demands of the fruit exceed the ability of the vine to supply them. The new wood near the base of the vines is robbed by the excessive demands of it's more vigorous neighbor beyond, and, failing to ripen, death is the inevitable conse- quence, and in few years, if not re- newed, the fruit-bearing wood is at the top of the trellis or at the extremity of the vines. On account of the forgoing consid derations, Mir. B. Williams of Montclair, N. J., Secretary of the New Jersey Horticultural Society, advises the novices to bear in mind a few facts and principles before attempting to prune a vine.
 First-That, as general rule, the fruit canes of this year are grown from buds on last years canes; in other words, the wood of this year contains the buds which produce the fruitful canes of next year.
 Second-That the fruit buds diffe, from wood buds only because of better development.
 Third-That a cluster is fruitful tendril, and that the ordinary capacity of fruitful bud is to develop, on ar average, two or three of these fruitful tendrils, or, as commonly expressed, clusters of fruit. There are, however, exceptions to this rule, notably, five ol six clusters on cane of the Elvira being | quite common.
 Fourth-That the tendency of the saI is to the extremity of the vine; that tho | straighter the cane the more rapid tn, growth, and the strongest growth from { pruned cane will generally be found nearest the end.
 Fifth-That it is an easy matter t overtax young vine by endeavoring t. make it produce and ripen more frui than It is capable of doing. A youn: vine cannot yield the crop that an older matured vine can without injury, an, more than young boy or girl can d. the work of an adult, and it is as unrea sonable to expect it in the one case as il the other. New York World.
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23

IF can put enc touch of rosy sun- set into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that 1 have worked with God
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23
Inflammatory Rheumatism Cured.

ROME, N. Y. GENTLEMEN:-I willingly give the fol- lowing testimonial: have used Dr. Par dee's Rheumatic Remedy and can truth fully say it is the best medicine that have ever taken. I tried doctors and many preparations, but they did me no good: This is the remedy that has cured me of inflammatory rheumatism. I would like to tell those who are troubled with 1t, that this is the surest and cheapest cure for them to buy. Yours respectfully,
 BENJ. J. BASENFELDER.
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23

A railroad porter knocked m, n down tho other day and the latter sues for $S0,00O. If he wins he will take all the porte.'s profits for an entire trip.
Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23

Dr. Pierce.s "Favo-ite Prescription" is ev. erywhere acknow edged to be the standard remedy for female complaints and weak. nesses. It is old by druggists.